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Show 252 THE CALIFORNIA AND OREGON TRAIL. gravest and most majestic deliberation; he began to turn round, as if he were revolving on a pivot. Little by little his ugly brown side was exposed to view. A white smoke sprang out, as it were from the ground ; a sharp report came with it. The old bull gave a very undignified jump, and galloped off. At this his comrade wheeled about with considerable expedition. The other Indian shot at him from the ravine, and th6ln both the bulls were running away at full speed, while half the juvenile population of the village 1·aised a yell and tan after them. The first bull soon stopped, and while the crowd stood looking at him at a respectful distance, he reeled and rolled over on his side. The other, wounded in a less vital part, galloped away to the hills and escaped. In half an hour it was totally dark. I lay down to sleep, and ill as I was, there was something very animating in the prospect of the general hunt that was to take place on the mar. row. CHAPTER XV. THE HUNTING CAMP. "The Pers~ owt of Northamberlande, And a vowe to God mayde he, That he wolde hunte in the mountayns Off Chyviat within dayes thre, In the mauger of doughte Dogies, And all that ever with him be. CHEVY CHASE. LoNG before daybreak the Indians broke up their camp. The women of Mene-Seela's lodge were as usual among the first that were ready for departure, and I found the old man himself sitting by the embers of the decayed fire, over which he was warming his withered fingers, as the morning was very chilly and damp. The preparations for moving were even more confused and disorderly than usual. While some families were leaving the ground the lodges of others were still standing untouched. At this, old Mene-Seela grew impatient, and walking out to the middle of the village stood with his robe wrapped close around him, and harangued the people in a loud, sharp voice. Now, he said, when they were on an enemy's hunting-grounds, Was not the time to behave like children; they ought to be more active and united than ever. His speech had some effect. |